Every good country cook should be able to whip up a batch of white gravy on the fly. Good news: homemade white gravy is so simple to make that you’ll never want to buy a mix again. The components for homemade gravy are always on hand in every kitchen.
White gravy is a quick and easy method to add flavor and moisture to fried chicken, biscuits, or potatoes. In this article, you’ll find some of our favorite white gravy recipes and instructions for making this delicious sauce.
White gravy, also known as Béchamel sauce, is a classic and versatile sauce used in various cuisines worldwide.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the ingredients for white gravy, the different types of Indian gravy, alternative names for white gravy, how to make it thick, whether it contains milk, dishes prepared with white gravy, and the perfect food pairings.
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Contents
What is White Gravy?
Indian white gravy, popular in North Indian cuisine, is made with curd and cashew nuts. The mother gravy of Indian cooking, this white sauce is a staple of the cuisine. Onions, cashews, melon seeds, garlic, curds, fresh cream, mawa, ginger, and mawa are the typical ingredients in a white gravy.
Delicious dishes like Nawabi Paneer, Malai Kofta, Khoya Paneer, Malai Paneer, Navratan Korma, Shahjahani Murg, etc. all have this as their major base.
How to Make White Gravy
You can dress up any southern main dish with this smooth and creamy spiced white country gravy. Savor the homey flavor as you drizzle it over fried chicken, chicken tenders, pan-fried pork chops, mashed potatoes, green beans, biscuits, and anything else your heart desires.
You, too, can have the best gravy in the South in less than fifteen minutes. This recipe has been a huge hit with my family. We gobble up every last drop of this homemade gravy in record time. The kind of love when you scrape the pan clean. It goes great with fried chicken, biscuits, and other southern staples like southern green beans.
White Gravy Vs Brown Gravy
Both brown gravy and white gravy mix are distinct from one another. Similar to homemade white gravy, brown gravy often starts with a roux.
However, chicken or beef broth and seasonings like Worcestershire sauce are used to provide taste and color. It typically has a robust, meaty taste. Traditional ceam gravy is made using a roux and has the same consistency, flavor, and color.
How to Make White Gravy at Home
Start by preheating a pan over medium heat for the fast, creamy gravy. Pour the butter in and let it melt. To the melted butter, stir in the flour, salt, and freshly ground pepper. Stir the whisk vigorously.
To eliminate the raw flour flavor, continue cooking for another 2 minutes. Pour in some milk (approximately 1/2 cup) and mix it in thoroughly with a whisk. Then, pour in more and whip it up. Do the same with the remaining milk.
Make sure there are no lumps by regularly stirring the butter and flour together. Follow these steps, and you’ll end up with the smoothest milk gravy ever.
Get the liquid almost to a rolling boil. Whisk constantly. For around five minutes of (vigorous) simmering, the milk gravy should become silky smooth. Keep cooking until it reaches the required thickness, then serve.
The Rich Flavor of Easy White Country Gravy
How, therefore, do these humble components provide something so delicious and reassuring? White gravy made from scratch, in my opinion, is always superior to the store-bought variety. The dish is delicious despite its lack of complexity.
Making a roux with the butter and flour before adding the milk is the first step. To achieve the desired robust flavor, a higher fat content milk should be used.
Since milk is used in the preparation, another term for this is Milk Gravy. Complete or 2% is optimal. If you’ve ever created a basic roux, you know that with the correct seasonings, it can become a fantastic gravy, sauce, or soup.
Making the Easy White Gravy
To begin, put the butter in a pot and melt it over medium heat while mixing in the flour. This richer consistency of the flour and butter is what you want. The gravy can’t be made without this. The flour taste will disappear if you give it enough time to cook.
The butter and flour will cook if you continue to mix them together. The buttery, delicious aroma will increase as the flour cooks out. This basic roux serves as the thickening agent for many other kinds of soups, sauces, and gravies.
Once the flour and butter have been allowed to boil for a few minutes, the milk can be added and whisked until smooth. A greater thickness is expected. Whisk incessantly! Season it to taste once it reaches the desired thickness.
The next step is to season with salt and pepper. How much pepper you put in is entirely up to you. You can adjust the amount of pepper in traditional white country gravy whichever you choose, however it is traditionally more peppery (you may have heard it nicknamed “Pepper Gravy”). Gradually increase the amount until you achieve the desired effect.
Ingredients for White Gravy
White gravy is a simple yet delicious sauce made from basic ingredients, including:
- Butter or Oil: Typically, butter is used for its rich flavor, but oil works as a suitable alternative.
- All-Purpose Flour: Flour serves as the thickening agent for the gravy.
- Milk: Milk adds creaminess and a luscious texture to the sauce.
- Seasonings: Salt, white pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg are often used to season the gravy.
Types of Indian Gravy
In Indian cuisine, there are various types of gravies, each with its distinct flavors and ingredients. While white gravy is not a traditional Indian gravy, it is used in fusion dishes. Common types of Indian gravy include:
- Tomato Gravy: Made from tomatoes, onions, and a blend of spices, it’s a base for many North Indian curries like butter chicken and paneer tikka masala.
- Onion Gravy: Onions, tomatoes, and aromatic spices are sautéed to create a flavorful base for curries and gravies.
- Cashew Nut Gravy: Cashews are ground into a creamy paste and used as the base for rich and indulgent dishes like Shahi Paneer.
Another Name for White Gravy
White gravy is known by different names in various culinary contexts. Some common alternatives include:
- Béchamel Sauce: This is the traditional French name for white gravy, often used as a base for many classic French dishes.
- Cream Sauce: In some instances, it’s referred to as cream sauce due to its creamy and luscious texture.
How to Make Thick White Gravy
Creating a thick white gravy involves careful control of the flour-to-liquid ratio. Here’s a simple method:
- Melt Butter: In a saucepan, melt 2-3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
- Add Flour: Gradually whisk in 2-3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour to create a roux. Cook for 2-3 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste.
- Gradually Add Milk: Slowly pour in 1-2 cups of milk while continuously whisking to prevent lumps.
- Season: Season the gravy with a pinch of salt, white pepper, and a hint of nutmeg. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Simmer and Thicken: Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer, stirring constantly, until it thickens to your desired consistency.
Does White Gravy Contain Milk?
Yes, white gravy does contain milk. Milk is a crucial ingredient in white gravy, contributing to its creamy and velvety texture. It’s combined with butter, flour, and seasonings to create this delectable sauce.
Dishes Made from White Gravy
White gravy is a versatile sauce used in various dishes, including:
- Biscuits and Gravy: A classic Southern American dish where white gravy is poured over freshly baked biscuits.
- Chicken Fried Steak: Tenderized steak is breaded, fried, and smothered in white gravy.
- Pasta Dishes: It can be used as a base for creamy pasta sauces.
- Vegetable Dishes: White gravy can be paired with vegetables, especially in Indian fusion cuisine.
Food Pairings with White Gravy
White gravy complements a wide range of foods, including:
- Biscuits: The classic pairing, where white gravy is poured generously over warm, flaky biscuits.
- Fried Chicken: Serve it with fried chicken for a delightful Southern-inspired meal.
- Mashed Potatoes: Spoon white gravy over creamy mashed potatoes for an extra layer of flavor.
- Vegetables: Drizzle white gravy over steamed or roasted vegetables for added richness.
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Conclusion
White gravy, the perfect creamy, savory topping for your favorite foods, can be made in a pot in a matter of minutes. You probably already have all the ingredients on hand to make this simple sauce: butter, flour, milk, salt, and pepper.
A touch of heat can be added with a pinch of cayenne. This is the sort of versatile recipe that will quickly become second nature. I recommend serving your first bowlful atop a warm buttermilk biscuit. When combined with the warm, airy layers, the velvety gravy is a match made in heaven.
White gravy, also known as Béchamel sauce, is a versatile and creamy sauce used in various dishes across different cuisines. Whether you’re enjoying it with biscuits, fried chicken, or vegetables, this sauce adds a delectable richness to your meals.
Understanding its ingredients, types, and pairing options can enhance your culinary repertoire and elevate your dining experience.
